Collapsible valise



I March 4, 1947. 1.. VALLIERES 2, 6,783.

Filed Nov. 1, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 fizz/wafer" I Y gZ/z'erask L. VALLIERES COLLAPSIBLE VALISE' March 4,194.7.

Filed Nov. 1, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l \I/ I, 1 7 aw Patented Mar. 4,- 1947 COLLAPSIBLE VALISE I Lu cien Vallieres, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada Application November 1, 1944, Serial No. 561,346

1 The present invention pertains to a novel collapsible valise The principal object of the invention is to provide a device of this character capable of being collapsed into a compact unit occupying a minimum of space.

vAnother object of the invention is to provide such collapsibility in a simple structure that can be collapsed or expanded by simple operations. Still another object is to incorporate adequate strength in the expanded valise.

These objects are accomplished by constructing the valise of several-wall sections hinged together. The bottom is split lengthwise into two sections that are hinged together. Lateral mem bers are hingedto the bottom sections and end pieces to the lateral members. Top sections corresponding to the bottom sections are hinged to the lateral members. Thus,the end pieces and top sections may be folded against the inner surfaces'of the lateral members, and these assembliesmay be folded against the doubled bottom.

-The-free corners of the end pieces are provided with pivoted latch hooks receivable in latch plates on the top and bottom sections, to secure the device in the expanded condition. For further reinforcement, straps may be extended from each top section to the corresponding bottom section. These straps are removable, and means are provided for retaining them when not in use.

The invention is fully disclosed by way of example in the following description and in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device in collapsed condition.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the device partly unfolded;

Figure 3 is a detail perspective view of one of the corners;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a corner brace shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a detail of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the device more completely unfolded;

Figure '7 is a perspective view of the valise in condition for use, and

Figure 8 is a detail perspective view of a corner structure, at the surface opposite that shown in Figure 5.

Reference to these views will now be made by use of like characters which are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout.

The valise shown in Figure '7 comprises two lateral members I, a split top 2, a split bottom 3 1 Claim. (01. 190-43) I and pieces areflat and thin, are attached to the adjacent edges of the respectivelateral members by hinges-5. The bottom sections 3 are,"moreover,-

:joined to one another in edge-to-edge relation by hinges 5. A pair of longitudinal strips is provided on the outer and longitudinal edges of the bottom section 3, corresponding to a pair for the top section for allowing space to the adjacent" tend pieces 4 when folded,

, coincide in abutting relation when the valise is in use, as shown inFigure '7. The same edges 8 and a lock 9 that function in the usual manner. I

As may be seen in Figures 2 and 6, the hinges 5 permit the end pieces 4 to be swung inwardly into engagement with theinner surfaces of the Since the thickness of the f lateral members I. pieces 4 corresponds to the depth" of "the strips 6, the top sections 2 can be swung on piece 4 as shown in Figure 2. Thereafter, the lateral members are swung up against the doubled bottom to form the compact structure shown in Figure 1, having an overall thickness of six sections.

In order to secure the parts in unfolded con-'- dition for use, the free corners of the end pieces 4 are provided with hooks l0, one of which is shown detached in perspective in Figure 4. Each such hook has a shank H at right angles thereto, and the free end of the shank is apertured at l2. At this aperture the shank is pivoted to the inner surface of an end piece 4, by a pin B. The end of the shank near the hook I0 is formed with a clip l4 spaced laterally from the body of the shank. The pin I3 is so positioned as to permit the clip to straddle an edge of the end piece 4, near a corner, and seat in a notch l4 thereof, as shown in Figures 3 and 5. In this position the hook I!) projects perpendicularly from the outer surface of the piece 4.

The free corners of the top sections 2 and the inner corners of the bottom sections 3 are provided each with a right angular latch bracket 15. The side of the bracket which lies perpendicular to the piece 2 or 3 to which it is attached is formed with a slot l6 adapted to receive the adjacent hook [0, which locks therein by a swivel movement of the corresponding shank H. The locked condition is shown in Fi ure 3. In order to disconnect the end pieces 4 from the top and bottom sections 2 and 3, the hooks ID are swung along the brackets l5 until they aline with the and two pairs of end pieces 4. These sections 1 slots =l6, and the end pieces are then swung inward, thereby withdrawing the hooks from the 1 slots.

In the collapsed condition of the end pieces 4 shown in Figure 2, the hooks I would increase the thickness of the fully collapsed valise. Ac-

cordingly, notches I! are formed adjacently in the sections 2, 3 to receive the hooks.

In orderito reinforce the expanded valise against sprea'ding orlbreaking whenfully loaded, a strap i'8"is provided'across each lateral member- I, i. e., between loops 20 on the inner free edges v of the respective pair of members 2, 3 and hooked at I9 through the loops 2!]. Similar 1oops 2 Lareattached to the inner surfaces of the lateral'memhers I to receive the straps I 8 when not'needed i v or when the valise is collapsed...

The first step in collapsing the valise is shown in Figure 2 wherein the bottom 3, 3 is folded or doubled and the top sections 2 and end pieces 4 are swung, inward against the; inner. surfaces of; the ;,later,al:members I. The straps l8 are-attachedto the,;1oops:.2l; and the handles I laid inward; The; lateral membersl are brought up against; the doubledbottom 3, 3. to produce, the

I already described. Either operation of folding or: unfolding'is'quick and simpleand requires no complicated manipulations. I

The strips; 6 coverand, protect the ends of the members: 4: inlthecollapsed condition. and reinforce; the correspondingedges, at the, sides I, in

theeexpanded: condition. Although aspecific. embodiment of the inven tion: has.- been! illustratedvand described it will: 1 betunderstood that. various alterations-in the details of construction may be made Without departing from the scope of the invention as indicated by the appended claim.

What I claim as my invention is:

A collapsible valise, comprising a bottom member split lengthwise in two sections hinged together in edge-to-edge relation, a pair of lateral members respectively hinged at one longitudinal edge .to the outer longitudinal edge of each bottom section; end pieces hingedffreely' to the respective transverse edges" of said lateraP-members and having the same width as said bottom sections, top sections hinged respectively to the remaining longitudinal edges of said lateral members, a pair of L-shaped hooks having their long arms pivotally mounted, respectively, at each end of the free, edge, of each, end section, a clip formed on each long arm remote from its pivot and adapted to,str.adjdle an end of the corresponding end piece,

LUCIEN. VALLIERES.

REFERENCESv CITED.

The following references are of record in the file of this patent: Y

UNITED STATES. PATENTS.

510,122, a French ,No vr. 27,1920 

